Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-10-31
NEWS FROM SAMOA.
What the New Zealand Herald
Has to Say.
How Germany Became Uppermcst in
the Affairs CT those Islands.
S,NFnAScrson- Oct %

DAN IhANNAsNpr tSt -
The steamer Zealander brings advices from
Samoa. In an editorial on the situation in
Samoa, the New Zealand Herald has this to
say
II is quite clear that if America and Great
Britain had both shown that they would be
united in resisting action which Germany evil
IDENTIFY premeditated the course pursued by
the officials of the latter power would have
been very different. The only possible way
of accounting for the strange and arbitrary
proceeding taken by the German consul at
Apia and by Heusner in declaring war against
the King of Mallenon and subsequently de-
posing him, is by supposing that AT the Wash
ington conference. around which much
mystery had been designedly thrown, Ger
many had put forward claims which the
American representative was inclined to
favor, but to whom the British representative
was hostile.
AT all events it would appear that some
serious difference of opinion regarding the
control of Samoa required the adjournment
of the conference 10 enable representatives
10 consult their respective governments.
Had the conduct which Germanyhas been guilty
of in Samoa been resorted to by the govern
ment of such a kingdom Denmark or Hol-
land the tone and attitude assumed by the
United States authorities would have been
very different from that observed in the pres
ent instance.
The full details of the surrender at Malie-
toa. the native king of the Samoa Islands Il
the German officials are at hand. There is
also at hand letter written by that king to
the American and British consuls, a day OF
two before his surrender. The following is
the full text of the letter:
Maleotoa, King of Samoa. writes this let
ter to you as | am now in distress. When
Chief Tamasese and others first commenced
the present troubles it was my purpose to
punish them and put an end to the rebellion
that they had raised, acting, however, on the
advice and under the assurance of the British
and American consuls, refrained from do
ing so. | was repeatedly told by representa-
tives of the British and American govern
ments that they would afford me and my
government assistance and protection if
abstained from doing anything that might
cause war among the Samoans. Relying
upon these promises, did not put down the
rebellion. Now | find that war has been
made upon me by the Emperor of Germany
and Tamasese has been proclaimed King OF
Samoa. German forces and adherents OF
| Tamasese threaten To make war upon al
Samoan people who do not acknowledge
'ramaSese as King. | am innocent of any
wrongful act and hereby protest against the
action of Germany But as the German
nation is strong and am weak, | yield tC
their power to prevent my people from being
slaughtered. | shall deliver myself up tc
| the9 German forces TO prevent bloodshed
and out of love for my people | desire tc
remind You of promises SO repeatedly made
by your government, and trust that you viii
50 far redeem them as to cause the lives and lib
crty of my chief and people to be respected
wish to inform you | fear the Germans
will compel me as they are now forcing my
people to sign papers acknowledging Tamas
cse king, and if | sign such papers it vii
only be under compulsion, and to avoid wal
being made upon my people.